Automobile disposal and withdrawal structure



day 6', 1930. l w, L PORTER 1,757,331

AUTOMOBILE DISPOSAL AND WITHDRAWAL STRUCTURE Filed sept. 12, 192s 4 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR me mzfr ATTORNEY May 6, 1930. w. J. PORTER 1,757,331

AUTOMOBILE DISPOSAL AND WITHDRAWAL STRUCTURE ATTORN EY May 6, 1,930.

w. .1. PORTER 1,757,331

AUTOMOBILE DISPOSAL AND WITHDRAWAL STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m N N M w g a i H b a] a am m O "4 N a Tril INVENTOR WMI@ J rl May 6, 1930- w. J. PORTER 1,757,331

AUTOMOBILE DISPOSAL AND WITHDRAWAL STRUCTURE y .r///////////////////////// //////////////////////IAE n n l l i l l l n l l l l ,l Patentev May 6, 1930 WILLIAM JAMES PORTER, E' SPOKANE, WASHINGTON' AUTOMOBLE DESPOSM AND `W1ITHDRAWAL STRUCTURE Application filed September la, 192g.

This invention is addressed to the problem of storage disposal and withdrawal of automobiles.

The invention includes a bank of floors 5 which may be provided with car berths, or opposing banks of doors or berths in facing relation and spaced to form an intervening aisle, and along or abreast of which floors a car carrying platform is advanced longitudi- 1@ nally, vertically or diagonally, whereby a car can be transferred from a point of deposition to or from any of said floors or berths.

lt is a feature of the invention to provide substantially vertically disposed stationary 5 rails abreast of said doors or berths and to equip the platformwith elongated shoe means adapted constantly to coact with said rails in relatively close working clearance so that the platform can be ioatingly suspended and moved and guided to different positions of disposal and Withdrawal.

lt is a very special feature of this invention to locate said rails and proportion said shoes so that the latter will at all times engage at least two rails, and this feature, in combina-tion with the clearance relation of the shoes and rails causes the same to function as a means for preventing undue lateral and longitudinal sway of the floatingly suspended v platform while the latter is being longitudinally, vertically or diagonally advanced abreast of the guide rails. i

My invention has many other objects and features which will be more fully described in n.; connection with the accompanying drawings and which will be more particularly pointed out in and by the appended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1, is a longitudinal vertical sectional 4o view of my improved structure taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 2, is a horizontal sectional vlew on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Y i

Fig. 3, is a transverse vertical sectional :5 view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

'serial No. 365,433.

a, is a similar view on line -a of ig.. l.

Fig. 5, is an enlarged sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, showing how the turn-table is locked in a position of registry with a berth to deposit or withdraw a car therefrom.

F ig. 6, is a similar enlarged View looking at the platform in edge elevation and showing the locking-channel apron device in a withdrawn position.

Lilie characters of reference design atc similar parts throughout the diderent figures of the drawings.

have generally indicated the foundation of a building at l, the walls at 2 and 3 and the roof at 4. It is one of the advantages of my invention to provide a storage disposal and withdrawal structure that is self contained and self stable within, and which may be installed in any kind of building of suitable form, Without necessitating the construction of a building especially for the pui-pose of housing my improved structure. However, if desired, a building may be especially constructed for the purpose.

ln the drawings Ihave generally indicated a foundation at 5, which is separate and distinct from the foundation l, of the housing, and this foundation 5, is shown provided with a trough-shaped clearance way, for a. purpose which will later appear. Laterally of this clearance way, there is `afforded floor space 7, which may be partitioned ofi and usefully employed. in any desired manner dependent upon the requirements of the par ticular installation.

A point of car ingressing an egressing deposition is shown in the form of a lobby receiving floor 8, which is preferably at the street level, or in any event, accessible to the cars from the street, and which, as shown, is coextensive with the full width of the structure at the front portion thereof. Thus, an ample receiving capacity is afforded to accommodate any reasonable congestion of cars.

This disposition of the lobby oor above the licor 7, aords room for what may be a tire shop, on one side, and wash and grease racks 'of the rear portion 9, of floor 8.

on the other, as indicated in the drawings, although of course this is merely YanV illustrativeexample of selected utilities of the space v`and is not to'be considered a definitev limitation, of the invention. It will also be understood that the clearanceway 6 will not usually, in practice, extend much forwardly 'Extendin longitudinally of the building, l

point,.however, it may be informative to state that these opposed banks of berths A and B are in substantially parallel relation, in the present embodiment, and that they are spaced -tensive in length, with the -length of said apart from each other suiiiciently to form an mtervenlng aisle C, therebetween. As will be seen from the drawings, this aisle is coexbanks.

As the invention-doesgpnot appertain to an specific structural details'o the banks, I wi l very generally indicate the sameand will state that in physical structure, they may vary widely within the skill of an architect or structural steel designer.

As shown the bank consists of a series of vertically dlsposed walls, whether skeletonlor s olid, and which are mounted on the foundation 5, and are of the height showh to'iextend from the bottom to the top vof the bank f ef berths. In widthreehewrirrig. arnese linthe vertical walls would be equal to the length of berth desired. vThese' vertical walls 10, would also bespaced apart, asshown in Fig. 1, a distance e ual to the Width of berth desired, and

mam portion of each bank, I have shown five series of berths, or a capacity in hei ht of live superposed berths, which extend a ve and be ow iioor 8. f

y The banks are completed by a series of hori-A zontally disposed walls 11, suitably joined to,- the vertical walls 10, and formin therewith the series ofxberths shown, V-in e bank A. These walls "11, are spaced apart in superposed relation the distance required to orm ernhr ef the required er desired height rrd the width of said walls 11, is preferallxlllyl equal to the widthl of walls 10. Asthe w 11, for the oor and ceiling of each berth, except for the iioors of the lowermost berths,

I preferably equip said walls `1 1 with channe v awings, I have shown all the berths' vof the same size, although in practice, this maybe varied as desired or required.' In the from or onto the transfer-means, to be later described. In accordance with my invention, and as shown in Figs.' 1 and 3, I make use of the space above the lobby floor, on each side of the aisle, by extending berths of the upper rows, which as shown, are the two uppermost rows, over and forwardly of the lo These berths m'ayconsist ofthe same or slmilar horizontal walls 11, and relatively shorter vertical walls 13.

As shown in Figs.- 3 and 4, the outer ends 14, of the berths, are slightly in spaced relation 'to the walls 2, of the housing building'and need not be closed except by the latter. However, in some installatlons it may be desired to close the outer ends independently of the building walls. In any event, I' have indicated suitable blocks 15,`for arresting roll- 1n movement of the `carstoward the outer Aenls of the berths. When the cars have thus been finallyde osited or positioned, of course the brakes wil be applied, as usual. How- 16, of the opposed banks A and B, open toward each other, or in other words, the berths of. one bank open toward the berths of the opposed bank, the berths being in transverse alinement although this -is not essential.

Reference will next be made tothe imroved means for effecting transfer of cars groin the lobby iioor to any one of the berths of either bank, or eifectin transfer of a car rom any berth of eitherlliank to the lobby oor. As shown, said means is in the form of a, travelling crane and I have shown trackage 17 suitably mounted on blocks 18, supported by ever, it'will benoted that the entrance ends the banks and on the tops thereof, said. trackage extending for the full length of. travel of the crane. A traveling crane structure, of any approved type, is generally indicated at D, and may consist of track sections 19 having suitable supporting wheelsV 20, runmng on said trackage. Said sections may also have larger propulsion wheels 21, driven from a source of power such as an electric motor 22,-the latter being suitably geared to said wheelsin afmamler notshown, and having suitable connection with a source of electric power, all of which is clearl within the skill of a travelin crane manu act-urer. I have shown four p atform lifting cables 23, which are trained over wheels 24, which latter ma be suitably geared to said motor 22, or an a ditional motor, as desired. It is the purpose to provide a traveling crane propelled by its own power, and which is equipped to also raise `or lower a platform, to be later described.

I have shown the track sections of the crane connected by a transverse section 25, as will be'clear by reference to Fig. 4.-

. Depending ufrom said traveling crane is a platform 26,7to which the lower ends of cables 23 are connected so that the platforml will not only be c arried by the crane, but can be ele- .have means for shifting the position of the car after it has been brought into a position of registry with a selected berth.

'Io this end, the platform 26 is provided with a suitable form of turn-table 27 which is rotatable thereon about its own axis 28.

I have shown a flange 29, on platform 26, that forms a guide for the turn-table and of course .the latter will be mounted on suitableV anti-friction devices, (not shown) to facilitate turning of 4the table on the platform, with slight manual effort on the part of the operator, or by power, if desired, which latter would be clearly within the skill of a constructor. I have shown the turntable 27 provided with channels 30 to receive the wheels of the car, and these channels 3() will of course be the same distance apart as are the channels 12, of the various berths. 'Ihe operator of course will ride on the platform while the car is being transferred and I have shown operating means for controlling the crane which are in the form of operating cords 31 and 32, for causing elevation or lowering of the platform, and a cord 33 for causing the crane to advance in one directionv and a cord 34 for causing it to advance in another direction. 'Iheclearance way 6, hereinbefore referred to, is sufficient to permit theplatform 26 to be lowered into a position to bring the channels 30, on a level with the channels 12, of the lower tier of berths.

I will next describe a feature of the invention which is designed to restrict swinging of the platform longitudinally of the aisle and which is also adapted to restrict lateral movement thereof. v

I prefer to provide each bank with a series of oppositely arranged and vertically disposed platform guiding means such as guide rails 36, which are` stationary and may be properly lubricated the same as are the usual elevator guide rails. These rails, as shown, are contiguous with the vertical walls 10, and one rail 36 may be suitably mounted on each of said walls, and also on walls 13. On

the two sides of the elevator platform 26, I provide elongated guide shoes 37 whose ends 38, are bent inwardly so that they will not catch against the rails 36 and obstruct progress of the platform, rIhere will be only a slight clearance between the rails 36 and the shoes 37,'and the latter are long enough to extend past two of the rails, any event, so that by Vthis provision, I insure stable,

clearance guidance of the ,oatingly suspended platform either when it ascends, descends, or when it is being advanced horizontally, or diagonally along the aisle and therefore transversely of the rails 36, or in any angular relation to said rails. y

I -will next describe a feature whereby the turn-table may be` locked in a registered p0` sition with any berth to deliver or withdraw a car, or whereby it may be locked to opposite berths whereby a car could be delivered from the platform into one berth and another car from an opposite berth might be withdrawn onto the platform without changing the position thereof.

As shown, the channels 12, of the berths, terminate slightly inside the innermost edges of the floors 11. rIhe channels 30, on the `turn-table 27 have a hinged extension which vmay comprise the two channels 38 and a v locking plate 39, on` which said locking channels 38 are mounted. Said locking plate 39 is hinged to the platform 27, at 40 and it will be seen that the plate 39, extends beyond the channels 38', so as to be disposedbetween channels 12, of the berth, such extension being indicated at 41. This extension 41, con stitutes, with the channels 12,the actual locking means. Of course, this channel locking means is provided on each end of the turntable channels 30, so that both diametrical points of the turntable can be locked to the respective opposed banks, if desired. In order to permit the locking channels to be readily swung on their hinged connection, out of a locking position, I chamfer the channels 30, at 42, and I likewise chamfer the channels 38', at 43, as clearly shown in Fig. 6.

Thus, it will be seen that when the device is in the position shown in Fig. 5, the turntable is not only locked into a position of registry with a berth, but also the turntable and berth channels are locked in a position of registry so as to accurately guide the car onto or oft' from the turn-table, as the case may be. This is particularly important in combination with a platform that is floatingly suspended as it will be clear that when either or both locking channels 38 are in the active position shown in Figsr and 6, the floor andv platform channels 12 and 30, respectively, will not only be locked in registry, butV the platform itself will be effectively held against horizontal movement.

Although the operation of my invention may be clear from the foregoing, it will be briefly recapitulated as follows:

Any number of cars, in accordance with the capacity of the lobby floor 8, may be received thereby from the street and parked in areas indicated at E.' When it is desired to berth a car, the crane and platform will be disposed in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 so that the car can be driven onto the channels 30,

under its own power and thebrakes applied f when the car has advanced onto the turn-table yio into the proper position. lf the car is to be bertlied in any of the'berths vertically above or below the platform, as shown in Fig. 1, it is merely necessary for the operator to cause the platform to either ascend or descend into disposal registryl with the selected berth, without causing the crane to advance either one Way or the other. ,After the platform has been disposed in a suitable registry. position with the'selected berth, then, the oper` ator will shiftv the turn-table 27, 'a quarter turn to dispose the channels 30 into alinement with the channels of the selected berth. lhen,

the car can be driven into the berth under its own power until the wheels ofthe car engage bumper blocks 15, whereupon the brakes et the car will be applied.

Thus, l have described one disposal step.

If it is desired to berth the car in a berth at a longitudinaldistant point from door 8, and either above or below the same, the opcrater will cause the crane to advance to the desired vertical tier and'will then cause the cables to be paid out or paid in, in'accordance with theselevation of the selected yberth of .such tier to get the platform into :registry channels 30 into registry with the channels of the'selected berth so that the car can be run out from its berth under its own power, onto the turn-table. Thereafter, the -crane and platform may he energized to return to the position shown in'Fig. l, whereupon the turntable may be again restored to the position shown therein and the car can be run od from the turn-table 27, onto the lobby door. ln

order to permit theplatform to reach the lowl ermost extreme left hand corner berth of l? ig.

I, l may provide suitable slots 35, in door 8, as 'will new be clear. Y

lt will also be 'clear that' the aisle C', eX- i tends over door 8 and forwardly ot the'rear permit the platform to reh. or attain a positionof registry with the rearniost berths.

end 9, thereof, the crane can be actuated to l disposethe platform in registry with any of the berths which are `disposed in over-hangingI relation to door 8. "At the rear end of the structure,a suitable space F, is provided to It Awill not be necessary to again ldescribe 'the operation of the channel locking means in view of the previous description thereof.

While .I have shown and described the doors equipped with vertical walls forming known to me.

Maasai berths for the cars, I do not `consiuler these berths to be absolutely essential to m invenv tion as in some cases, the vdoors may ction as car berths in the total absence ot walls 10. lt will now be clear that l can install my improved structure inside of most any type A ot previously constructed store or warehouse in opposed. relation with an intervening aisle,

and with the berths of one bank opening toward the berths of the opposed bank, and by means of a single traveling car transfer means operating in said aisle, l can ecoi'ifo-v inize space and increase capacity, which is not possible with any ether construction ln addition to increasing storage capacity eeA and economizing space, l increase the speed and facility with which cars can be ut into and takenout of storage, as it will e clear that a car may be put into storage, and on the return trip, a car can be withdrawnfrom storage. l lli/hilo l have` shown and described opposed banks of car berths, it will be clear that with one bank of berths including `opposed sets of verticalvguide rails, and a car transterring means movable abreast thereof, l could build a/very high storage capacity 1n a very narrow building. x

ltwill also be noted that when a car is stored in one of these berths, it is inaccessible to anyone otherthan theop'erator Of the transfer device. Thus it would not be necessary to equip the berths with doors that might be locked althoughthisycou-ldreadily be done, inview of the disclosure made herewith.

While l have shown a traveling car transiria;

While l have shown one form of my inven' tion, l do not wish'to be limited thereto eX- ceptfor such limitations asthe claiingmay import. Y f

l claim: y

l l. ln an automobile storage disposal and withdrawal structure, opposed banks of car berths with thegberths of opposed banks openingl toward each other and said banks s being spaced apart; toforni. an intervening aisle, vertically disposed guide rails 'on op# posite sides of said aisle, a receiving door for v 45 withdrawal structure, opposed ingressing and egressing cars adjacent said aisle, and a :lioatingly suspended platform V movable longitudinally and vertically in said aisle for effecting transfer of a car from said ioor into a position of disposal relation to any berth of either bank or from any berth of either bank back to said floor, saidplatform having horizontally disposed elongated shoes eoacting with said rails.

2. In an automobile storage disposal and withdrawal structure, o posed banks of car berths spaced apart to orm an intervening aisle, vertically disposed vguide rails on opposite sides of and along said aisle, a lobby floor adjacent said aisle for ingressing and egressing cars, a travelling crane movable above said banks and longitudinally of said aisle from and toward said Hoor a car car ryin platform having a turn-table thereon for irectly receiving a car, and cablemeans 'operated by said crane and iioatingly suspending said platform in said aisle and whereby a car can be transferred from said Hoor on said turn-table into registering relation for disposal into any berth of either bank or from any ber-th of either bank back to said Hoor, and said platform having horizontally disposed shoes sufficiently elongated to always engage a plurality of said rails against movement of said platform laterally.

3. In an automobile storage disposal and Withdrawal structure, opposed banks of car berths sp' :ed to form an aisle between said banks, vertically disposed guide rails on the facing sides of said banks, a car carrying platform movabletin said aisle and having elongated shoes adapted to enga e said rails to arrest lateral play of said p atform and retard longitudinal movement thereof, and an over-head crane having cableconnection with said platform for operating the latter vertically and longitudina ly along said aisle for transfer of a car to or from any berth of any bank. l

4i.` In an automobile storage dis osal and anks of 'alined car oors spaced apart to form an ining shoe means in constantguided relation with said rails, and means for advancin said platform diagonally lon 'tudinall an vertically in said aisle invgulded relation to said rails, into disposal or wthdrawal registry with any of said berths.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aiiixed my signature.

WILLIAM JAMES PORTER.

tervening aisle and said opposed floors havf' ing alined wheel guiding channels, upright platform 'guiding rails in said aisle, a floatingly suspended car carryinlg platform movab e vertlcally, longitudina y er diagonally in said aisle into regist 4 channels and having e ongated shoes for clearance engagement with saidrails, and guiding channels on said extensions movable oversald shoes and into said oors.

5. In an automobile storage disposal and withdrawal structure, o posed sets of stationary upright guide ra' spaced-to form an intervening aisle a bank of carberths adjacent one set of said rails, a car carriing platform between said sets of rails and vengagementv with the channels of 'with said guiding latform having lso 

